I can't get my 88 E150 with a 5.0 (302) started, and I need to get it repaired quickly.

It has 245,000 miles on it. I had the engine taken out and rebuilt by the region's top rebuilder 50,000 miles ago (a little over a year ago--I will drive 60,000 miles this year).

I have the characteristic dual tank/valve problem at present, but it is not a factor with this problem. (I will fix that later--I am operating fine off of the mid-tank for now). I am getting plenty of fuel.

I am getting good spark. I am getting fuel. I pulled a plug and placed the spark plug wire where it will arc against the frame. I am getting sufficient spark, and it coincides with the fuel being sprayed in the cylinder (it can be seen and heard through the spark plug hole).

I assume the TFI is alright, because the spark seems sufficient and only occurs when the injector is firing to that cylinder.

I thought I solved it yesterday. It seemed to be flooding (when I was trying repeatedly to start it), and there was a lot of gas in the oil (from dripping down the cylinder walls past the rings).

I pulled a plug and gas was shooting in the cylinder as from a hose. The plug was soaked when I pulled it. The amount of gas stream was very excessive. So, I changed the fuel pressure regulator, confident that I had solved the problem and drained and replaced the oil.

It started for a few seconds then died. Again, the plug was soaked. The stream of gas was reduced to a HEAVY squirt, but I am sure that it is still too much gas. The engine floods before it even gets a chance to start.

Also, starting fluid (ether) doesn't help. I believe that's because the plugs are already soaked by the time I have barely turned the key.

Any ideas? Please help, as I have some out-of-state trips coming up and I need this conversion van for my work.

Thank you.

 

Man, that sucks!
Not much I can offer.
I have been told that once a plug gets fuel soaked, it is worthless.
It sure sounds like you are getting a ton of fuel into the cyl.
That sounds a little odd.

 

Welcome to FTE. Bummer. I am not real familiar with the 88s. Does it have any sensors that would tell it to give more gas? You must have some sort of ignition module, could it be messed up? Are the injectors worn out or not working right? Just guessing. Maybe someone else will wander through with better ideas. Good luck with it.

 

Thanks for responding.

The gas sensor that goes in the exhaust ( I can't remember the exact name of it) was recently replaced. It has been working fine.

The TFI is the ignition module. Does someone know--can that determine how much gas the injectors will shoot at startup???

Thanks for the help

 

I am an amateur with Fuel Injection, so I am just guessing, but something I would try is to determine if your fuel injector or injectors is sticking open. Disconnect the electrical connectors to all the injectors, or disconnect the fuel injector electrical harness plug, if so equipped. With the electrical power disconnected from the injectors, then I think they should all be closed completely, and there should be no gas. If you are still getting gas, I would think you have one or more injectors sticking open.

 

you stated you check spark at the wire, is it possible your plugs are glazed and sparking across the insulator?

also you said you are having problems with your tank valve, is it possible the return is closed or plugged? if it is you would have too much fuel pressure acting like a bad regulator. pull the return to the tank before the valve, might be worth a try.

 

Also pull the vavuum line off of the regulator, if there is gas in the vacuum line then the regulator is bad. You're getting WAY too much fuel, I'd put new plugs in it, change the cap., rotor, and wires (for good measure). DO NOT get them at autozone buy the expensive ones at napa.

 

Thanks to all. Crash687 hit the nail on the head. The fuel tank valve was preventing the return fuel from coming back in sufficient volume, and this resulted in too much pressure going to the injectors. Thanks also to Tom Spangler for his help with the fuel valve--with pictures and with Email advice.

Once I cleared the fuel return path, the van started right up.

Unfortunately, the van engine blew 500 miles from home in Jasper, Alabama last week (I live in Springfield, MO). The engine was completely rebuilt (supposedly) by the main engine rebuilder in our Region a little over a year ago, but blew at 50,000 miles. Evidently, something was wrong with the rebuild. My beautiful conversion van is now sitting in a salvage yard in Alabama and I rented a van to get myself, my people and my equipment back home (we were on a business trip).

Anyway, I'm using a borrowed Bronco and am falling in love with it. It may be up for sale soon, and I'm seriously considering it.

And, thanks a lot for the great help. The guidance was right on target.

Any